Curriculum

The duration of the RIT Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) program spans 3.5 years and includes 105 semester credit hours. The program has been designed as a full-time program, and courses are offered on the RIT campus, throughout the day and evening. Below is a sample course matrix that shows the typical course load per semester.

Typical Course Sequence

Course ID

Course

Credits

First Year

ARCH-611

Architectural Representation I

3

ARCH-621

Architectural History I

3

ARCH-631

Architectural Design I

6

ARCH-761

Understanding Sustainability

3

ARCH-612

Architectural Representation II

3

ARCH-622

Architectural History II

3

ARCH-632

Architectural Design II

6

ARCH-741

Integrated Building Systems I

3

Second Year

ARCH-731

Architectural Studio I: Site

6

ARCH-742

Integrated Building Systems II

3

ARCH-751

Architectural Theory

3

ARCH-732

Architectural Studio II: Tectonic

6

ARCH-743

Integrated Building Systems III

3

ARCH-752

Urban and Regional Planning

3

ARCH-762

Industrial Ecology Fundamentals

3

Graduate Elective

3

Third Year

ARCH-733

Architectural Studio III: Adaptive

6

ARCH-744

Integrated Building Systems IV

3

ARCH-753

Research Seminar/Thesis Preparation

3

ARCH-763

Sustainable Building Metrics

3

ARCH-734

Architectural Studio IV: Urban

6

ARCH-745

Integrated Building Systems V

3

ARCH-771

Professional Practice

3

Graduate Elective

3

Fourth Year

ARCH-790

Thesis Studio

6

Sustainability Elective

3

Graduate Electives

6

ARCH-699

Cooperative Education

0

Global Experience

0

Total Semester Credit Hours

105

Studio Culture Overview

Studio culture is an integral part of the RIT Architecture experience.

Enrollment in the Master of Architecture Program and studio environment is a privilege granted to students majoring in Architecture at RIT. As such, each student is bound to uphold this standard, through personnel performance as well as in concert with others. The term “studio” refers to a series of specific, uniquely structured courses as well as a physical place founded on the educational ideals and the belief in an environment that fosters critical thinking, explorative forming and testing of ideas, and professional development. Overall, the Architecture program at RIT is grounded in the following essential values*:

A Culture of Optimism – Hopeful that architecture will make a difference to society, and confident that success within the profession or related discipline is possible.

A Culture of Respect – Respect for the individual, the community, ideas, diversity and the physical space.

A Culture of Sharing – Collaboration, interdisciplinary connections and successful oral and written communication are embraced.

A Culture of Engagement – Promoting leadership to foster engagement within communities, among clients and users, and around social issues.

The ideal studio goes much further than merely to establish a place of inspiration and collegiality. It upholds a mutual attitude of respect and tolerance among faculty and students, understanding that cooperation between, and discourse among diverse perspectives within the stakeholders in our program is our greatest asset. Our working model asserts a culture of respect and innovation within the RIT Architecture program by allowing ideas, processes, and products to develop freely in a supportive, diverse, and inclusive environment. Find Out More.

*As referenced from AIAS “Toward an Evolution of Studio Culture: A Report of the Second AIAS Task Force on Studio Culture.”